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Friday Facts for August 2, 2019

Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce

Dear Friend of the Chamber,

Here are your Friday Facts – Enjoy reading them and have a great Friday and an even better weekend. If you have anything that you would like to put into the Friday Facts please send it to poliva@puntagorda-chamber.com by noon each Thursday.

Your Chamber Staff,
John, Pat, Carole, Stephanie & Janet

Want to become a PG Chamber Guardian and/or Supporter in Perpetuity?

At our recent Board retreat, it was agreed to add a new page to our website .puntagordachamber.com to allow for those of you who wish to become either a Guardian ($1000) or Supporter ($500) in recognition of the work that the Chamber undertakes and how we have (hopefully) positively affected your time within the Chamber’s membership.

All Guardians and Supporters will be listed on our website under the Your Chamber tab along with a picture (if you so choose).
All Guardians will also be listed in our weekly e-news bulletins – the Friday Facts and the Monday Morning Updates.

Realizing that some may not want that recognition published, inclusion will be entirely at your discretion, but from our perspective, it’s a great way to show your support being seen doing so! The idea of having such Guardians and Supporters originated with the late Alvin Gould who wanted to show his support for our efforts, but realized that being a Member of the Chamber was not an avenue for him to actively be engaged. It is our hope to continue adding names to this list going forward, but we do want to acknowledge Michael P Haymans for being the first name to be etched on this salubrious honor roll. Thank you.

To make your pledge or for further information, please email jrwright@puntagorda-chamber.com

John R. Wright
President

Click Here to see Our List of Guardians to Date
Guardians & Supporters of the Punta Gorda Chamber

Chamber Calendar of Events

Please remember to RSVP to: reception@puntagorda-chamber.com or 941-639-3720.

Top Chefs Challenge August 8th 5-7pm at the event center. Tickets here

August 15: Third Thursday Wine Walk 5-8 pm

In Downtown Punta Gorda. Art-Music-Live Demonstrations-Shopping & Food! What better way to spend an evening out with old friends while you take the time to make new ones. Wine Walk works by donating $10 at the PG Chamber ( in advance or on the night) to get a wristband and passport that entitles you to a walking wine tasting – a map of all retail participants will accompany your wristband. Each location will have two different wine varietals to taste! Wristbands can also be purchased at Hipnotique on the day of the event. Not a wine drinker, you can still come and enjoy the atmosphere and shop, dine and stroll around.

Click Here for Major Chamber Events

New Members

Kingsway Country Club
Natalie Clark
13625 SW Kingsway Circle
Lake Suzy, FL 34269
(941) 625-8898
nclark@kingswaycountryclub.com
www.kingswaycountryclub.com
Golf Course & Country Club
Sponsored by Nanette Leonard

Remember to utilize the certificates in the New Member packet. These are very valuable to your business.

Mission Statement

To promote business in Punta Gorda and all our surroundings areas, for the benefit of our entire community.

Partners in Action News

Bayfront Health Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte (Platinum)

Village Fish Market/La Fiorentina (Platinum)

Click Here for Summer Specials at both Restaurants.

TT Tiki Bar at Fourpoints (Platinum)

Journey Tribute Band – August 3rd 2019.
Call 941 637 6770 for further details

Charlotte Stone Crabs (Gold)

The Stone Crabs are back home Friday-Wednesday and we have Field of Dreams Night, Augtoberfest and more on the schedule! The homestand begins on Friday, August 2nd againt the Palm Beach Cardinals. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. for a doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m. when we will resume a suspended game followed by a 7-inning game. This evening is Field of Dreams Night and we’re feeling nostalgic so tickets for the game are just TEN CENTS EACH when you purchase them in person at the Box Office or over the phone at 941-206-4487! It’s also a Friday Family Fun Night with our Family Fun Zone! Plus, ALL fans can run or stroll the bases after the game. Festivities on Saturday, August 3rd will begin at 2 p.m. with Smokey Bear’s 75th Birthday Celebration presented by Florida Forest Service! Enjoy live music, games and more. Plus, First Responders will receive free admission to the game and can purchase tickets for family and friends at our group rate! Our Augtoberfest Beer Festival presented by Fat Point Brewing will begin at 4 p.m. Sample beers from local breweries by purchasing tasting tickets for $2 each or purchase our Augtoberfest Ticket Package and get your ticket to the game, a sampling mug and two drink sampling tickets for $12. The Stone Crabs will take on the Cardinals at 6 p.m. and this evening is also the Masked Singer Night presented by FOX. Three local masked singers will compete during the game! It’s also an Armed Forces Saturday presented by Wawa where the Stone Crabs will honor a local military hero. The series with Palm Beach wraps up on Sunday, August 4th at 12:30 p.m. with a Community Free Sunday Funday presented by King Plastic Corporation. Tickets and parking are free for everyone! Enjoy family catch on the field from 11:35 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. and kids 14 and under can run the bases after the game. Plus, purchase an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet for just $15!

To purchase tickets to any of these games, call us at 941-206-4487 or stop by the Box Office Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. You can also purchase tickets online by clicking the link below.

Florida Southwestern State College (Silver)

Nov 28th Turkey Trot – early registration

Charlotte Players (Support)

Comedy for a Cause – full details of line-up and how to get tickets. Click here

August 3rd at 7:30pm, Mind Games 1182 Market Circle Port Charlotte. Charlotte Players will bring back Thought Reader Bill Gladwell for a 90-minute performance. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased online at www.charlotteplayers.org or by calling the box office at (941) 255-1022.

Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (Support)

August 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street, “Finish Your Book with James Abraham”. Writer, editor, literary critic, columnist and owner of Book-Broker Publishers in Punta Gorda, James Abraham will be conducting a four-class series, “Finish Your Book”. Topics include Proportion, effective use of Dialogue, creating a powerful Environment and developing memorable Characters. Handouts and reading lists will be supplied. Fee is $80 for the series. Advanced registration required. Call 941-637-1655.

Fact of the Day

Toto Made More Than the Munchkins

Toto, Dorothy’s dog from The Wizard of Oz made more money than the actors who played the munchkins. Terry (Toto’s real name) made $125 per week while the munchkin actors made $50 per week.

Events for Week of August 2 – August 11

Remember to click this link to see events for these dates that are in flyer format.

Upcoming Member Events

The Orange House Wine Bar

320 Sullivan St., Punta Gorda 941-505-8233
We are now open for breakfast and lunch!
Tuesday-Saturday 8 am – 2 pm
Fri. August 2: 7pm -10 pm
Sat. August 3: 7pm- 10 pm

Residents will have the opportunity to say “thank you” to the area’s first responders and support personnel at the fourth annual Public Safety Appreciation Night on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is serving as guest speaker.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with a cash-bar cocktail hour and a buffet dinner with a deep South menu. Moody is expected to speak at around 7:30 p.m., followed by a brief awards ceremony recognizing Charlotte County public safety personnel. Music and dancing then will take place until 11 p.m., and there will be a photo booth for making memories. Radio personality Jeff Collins, aka the popular Golden Hippo, will once again serve as emcee, and live music will be provided the Punta Gorda show band American Made.Dress is business casual, and tickets are $15 for active or retired public safety personnel and $30 for guests and the general public. Tickets may be ordered at www.thankyoucharlotte.com.
The event is unique in recognizing a wide range of individuals and in supporting Charlotte County Sheriff’s Explorer Post 29 and Do the Right Thing of Charlotte County, Inc. All proceeds beyond expenses will to those nonprofits. Honorees will include individuals nominated by agencies for which they work.
Organizers are looking for sponsors to join Kia Of Port Charlotte, Italia at River City, Howard’s Pool World and Nix & Associates Real Estate.
Pribble warned the event is usually a sell-out, with 600 to 650 in attendance. He advised getting tickets early, and those interested in sponsorships may contact at Pribble at 941-628-4943 or tony.pribble@desotoschools.com.

Military Heritage Museum Hosts National Purple Heart Day Event on August 7

On August 7, National Purple Heart Day, the nation pauses to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices made by brave men and women in the military. The Purple Heart medal is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military. According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, more than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented since the award was created in 1782. The Purple Heart was one of the first awards in military history that could be given to lower-ranking, enlisted soldiers or non-commissioned officers for their outstanding service. George Washington designed the badge in the form of a cloth purple heart, to be given to soldiers who displayed not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle, but also extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way.
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Purple Heart recipients and their family members are invited to join us for pastries in the P-51 Club to socialize with your local Purple Heart veterans. Come share your stories, make new friends, and explore the Military Heritage Museum. It’s a whole NEW experience!
1 p.m. – The Purple Heart film in the Gulf Theater. This film is based on the true story of eight crewmen of a U.S. bomber that took part in the “Doolittle Raid” on Tokyo on April 18, 1942. The story of the crew of a downed bomber, captured after a run over Tokyo early in the war. Relates the hardships the men endure while in captivity, and the final humiliation: being tried and convicted as war criminals. *
Hall of Heroes Purple Heart display, open all day
* requires purchase of one-day full access pass
The Military Heritage Museum is located at 900 West Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda. For information or reservations, call 941-575-9002 or go to www.freedomisntfree.org.

Introduction to Yoga Series

Wednesdays, August 7th – September 11th
12:00 – 1:15pm $99
The Yoga Sanctuary
No flexibility required; all ages and body types welcome! This six-week series, limited to eight students, will walk you through the basics of yoga. Learn pose anatomy and alignment, ways to personalize the practice for specific issues or injuries, and the foundations of yoga philosophy. Each participant will receive a copy of Yoga Fan: Practice Guide for Everyday. Due to the small class size, which allows for individualized attention, pre-registration is required. For more information please visit www.theyogasanctuary.biz or call 941.505.YOGA (9642)

CERT Training

Charlotte County Emergency Management is offering the CERT, Citizen’s Emergency Response Team training course. This free course emphasizes training of needed lifesaving medical skills, proper use of a fire extinguisher, disaster psychology, and other disaster recovery skills. The 3-day course will be held at the Rotonda Community Association in Rotonda West from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays 8/10, 8/17, and 8/24. To register or for more information call 813-702-3785.

Military Heritage Museum Hosts Catch a Wave to the Tikifest

Catch a wave to the TikiFest! The Military Heritage Museum will be host to a FREE entertainment event on Saturday, August 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Gulf Theater. The event is happening during this year’s TikiFest 2019 at Fishermen’s Village. Setting the Military Heritage Museum on fire, the Hot Flashz, a troupe of women all over 45, hit the museum’s stage with song and dance to entertain the crowd during TikiFest 2019. For information or reservations, call 941-575-9002 or go to www.freedomisntfree.org and sign up. The museum is located at 900 West Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda.

Homeless Coalition 30th Anniversary

As The Homeless Coalition celebrates its 30th Anniversary year, we are excited to announce that the 7th Annual Charlotte Idol Final singing competition will be held on Saturday, August 10th at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center in Punta Gorda. The event is Emceed by Melissa Lockhart of Helping Hands and Cris Chana of Chelsea Place. Sixteen amazing singers from the community competing in hopes to be the next 1st place winner. The finalists include: Nidal Zarour, Jennifer Zangari, Elizabeth Rogers, Jazmin Solunar, Christine Fankhauser, Aaron Thompson, Abigail Wertman, Valeria Sanchez, Jamie Landry, Daniel Candia, Daniella Storesser, Camille Crites, Sarai Sapp, Ashlyn Houser, Madison Campbell and Nikole Darna.

You’ve seen it on TV now see it yourself. VIP tickets are $75 each include dinner, special seating and pre-show entertainment. Doors open at 5:00P.M. The General admission tickets are available for $20 and guests can enjoy a cash bar and snacks that are available for purchase in the concourse. Doors open at 6:00P.M. doors for general admission will open at 6:00pm with cash bar and snacks available for purchase in the concourse For information on how to obtain tickets for Finals Night contact Darcy Woods at Events@CChomelesscoalition.org or by calling 941-627-4313, Ext. 134. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Homeless Coalition’s programs and services.

Fishermen’s Village

The 4th annual TikiFest will be held Saturday, August 10th, 12 noon-4 pm at Fishermen’s Village. Music, vendors, hula dancers, photos with International Mermaid Faith Lynn are just some of the highlights of this highly anticipated family friendly event. Full details on line at www.fishville.com/events. Free admission/Free parking!

PGD Launches Air Service Destination Survey

Participants Eligible for Airport Coupons & Prizes
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is offering coupons and prizes for airport parking and concessions to encourage participation in its online air service destination survey through Aug. 31, 2019. The survey focuses on two areas of air service via PGD: intrastate and major U.S. hub destinations. The survey, which can be found at www.FlyPGD.com/survey, asks potential and current PGD passengers to indicate where within Florida they would fly to from PGD at $200 each way, as well as how often, why, with how many people, which days and times of the week, and what times of the year. Survey options include Jacksonville, Destin, Palm Beach, Key West, Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale. The second part of the survey asks similar questions for major U.S. hub airports that could connect local passengers to international destinations through Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Newark, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Dallas. “The data we collect will provide valuable insight we can share with potential new airline partners, as well as Allegiant,” said PGD’s CEO James Parish. “This information will help management build our case to grow the number of options beyond the 40-plus destinations Allegiant currently offers.” Whether air travel is for business or pleasure, participants can preview the survey to help evaluate their air travel needs and wants before starting the survey so that it can be completed as quickly and accurately as possible. Participants who do not see their preferred airport as a predefined option will have an opportunity to type in their own answer toward the end of the survey. “Participants should keep in mind that PGD is not currently, or planned to be, an international airport,” said Parish. The first 200 participants who complete the survey with a valid email address will receive a coupon for a free 20 oz Zephyrhills bottled water valued at $2.99 or a large coffee valued at $3.29, redeemable at The Junction, which is located inside of the Bailey Terminal departures area. Each coupon will be redeemable September 2019 through September 2020. Additional prizes, including passes for a free week of airport parking and $20 gift certificates to The Junction, will be randomly awarded in September 2019 for up to 10 participants who complete the survey by Aug. 31, 2019. “This is the first time we’ve launched an air service destination survey like this, so we are hoping to receive upwards of 500 completed surveys with the community’s help and engagement,” said PGD’s Marketing & Communications Manager Kaley Miller. “While we receive a lot of suggestions on social media, we need strong, quantifiable survey results to help us analyze and present our case in a more meaningful way to potential airline partners.” Charlotte County Airport Authority employees are not eligible to win coupons or prizes.

Member Information

Click Here for Member Info

Life Long Learning Institute Needs Your Help

  • LLI is looking for a Treasurer!
    Are you a retired bookkeeper or accountant with time to attend monthly Board meetings and coordinate with our office manager (a maximum of 15 – 20 hours per month)?
  • Have you worked in Quick Books and are you comfortable with online data systems?
  • Do you have the abilities to monitor daily receipts, make disbursements and keep documentation of these transactions to produce monthly financial reports?
  • Would you be able to advise and explain to the members of our Board of Directors various accounts, transactions and reports?
  • Are you able to file appropriate and timely tax and other required forms to maintain our 501 (c) 3 and charitable status?

If you answered these questions “yes”, then we want to meet and talk with you!!!! Our Board of Directors is a great team of members who are dedicated to putting quality programs together at affordable prices — we have new committees who are putting the fall and winter schedules together . . . “everything’s coming up roses!”

Please consider joining this team as Treasurer to provide financial support and guidance!
Please contact: 941-637-3533 or charlotte.lli@fsw.edu

Drug Free Punta Gorda Coalition Members and Friends

The beginning of the 2019-2020 School Year is upon us, and DFPG is excited to meet new students and parents at the upcoming Punta Gorda Middle School Open House. This year, we have great opportunities for teen drug prevention, and some awesome materials to use with our youth. We are looking for 1 or 2 volunteers who would like to join us at the Open House, which is Thursday August 8th, from 4 pm – 7 pm. at Punta Gorda Middle School. We’ll be presenting materials on Juul-ing and Vaping. Here’s a quick idea of what you may be doing, as a volunteer (one of these things, not all):
1. Asking students, who come to the DFPG table, to take a short survey – if they do, then then can choose between a pair of really cool DFPG Sunglasses or a DFPG Beach Ball (for their last days of summer vacation)!
2. Asking students and/or parents/adults to take the pledge to be vape-free! – if they take the pledge, they receive an awareness bracelet.
3. Assisting students to sign-up for the Student Impact Team – we will fill you in on the S.I.T. prior to the Open House, if you don’t already know about it.
4. There will also be a display board on the table, along with hand-out materials.
Thanks for volunteering – together we’re empowering our youth to make healthy, drug-free choices!

Gulfshore Opera

Season 6 Brings Exciting Changes and Audience Favorites
Click Here for all of the info.

Therapy One

New Research Shows: Physical Therapy First for Low Back Pain Curbs Opioid Prescriptions and Lowers Costs
Adding to a growing body of evidence for physical therapist treatment of low back pain (LBP), a new study shows that using it as a first-line approach not only saves money, but also dramatically reduces the chance of receiving a prescription for dangerous opioids.
The study, Physical Therapy as the First Point of Care to Treat Low Back Pain: An Instrumental Variables Approach to Estimate Impact on Opioid Prescription, Health Care Utilization, and Costs, was published in the May 2018 issue of Health Services Research. Researchers followed the health insurance claims of more than 150,000 patients for 1 year after an initial visit to a health care provider for LBP. They sought to examine differences in the type of health care utilized and how much it cost over the course of a year for those who saw a physical therapist first, those who saw a physical therapist at a later time after the initial visit, and those who never visited with a physical therapist during the study period. The team concluded that patients with LBP who received care from a physical therapist first experience lower out-of-pocket pharmacy and outpatient costs. They also reduced their likelihood of receiving an opioid prescription by 87% compared with patients who never visited a physical therapist. The “physical therapist first” group also experienced a 28% lower probability of having imaging services and 15% lower odds of making a visit to an emergency room. At any given time, about 25% of people in the US will report having low back pain within the previous 3 months. And more than 60% of people with low back pain in the US have a prescription for opioids. The US is struggling to combat an unprecedented opioid epidemic, resulting from the misuse of prescription painkillers, which come with dangerous side effects including depression, addiction, overdose, and death. In 2016 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released opioid prescription guidelines, recognizing that prescription opioids are appropriate in certain cases like cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care, and in acute care situations if properly dosed. But the guidelines say for other pain management, nonopioid treatments, including physical therapy, should be used. The American Physical Therapy Association’s #ChoosePT campaign raises awareness about physical therapy as a safe and effective alternative to drugs for the treatment of pain. It aligns directly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s opioid prescription guidelines (March 2016), citing “high-quality evidence” supporting exercise as a part of a physical therapy treatment plan for low back pain, hip or knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Archway Institute – Golf Ball Drop Fundraiser.
Click Here for full details

Visual Arts Center

The Member’s Showcase is our largest exhibit on display until August 9; featuring 439 works of art. Congrats to the winners! Listen to PFTA art talk show Tuesdays @ 2pm from the VAC Library w/ Dave Bise & Chris Fankhauser, for more info visit http://pftatalkshow.org/. Visit the Artist’s Gift Shop and Art & Supply Store inside The Visual Arts Center located @ 210 Maud St, across from Fishermen’s Village. Gallery & Gift Shop Hours: M-F, 9-4 & Sat, 10-2. Calendar of Events, Classes, Memberships and Call to Artists at visualartcenter.org.

Gregg’s Automotive

Click Here for Preventive Maintenance during Hurricane Season.

Sunny Days Ice Cream

Are you the type of person that likes to give unique gifts? Gifts that are special and memorable? Sunny Days Ice Cream truck specializes in premium ice cream catering service. Send our ice cream truck for a special treat to your clients, customers, students or friends in business. Great way to say thank you for a job well done or for referrals. We carry premium novelty ice cream and provide excellent service! Visit our website at www.sunnydaysicecream.com for more information regarding our services. Call 941-255-1889 to book now!

United Way of Charlotte County

Women United of United Way of Charlotte County is welcoming all new teachers to Charlotte County Public Schools. They are estimating 100 new teachers again this year. We hope to give every new teacher a goody bag with two $25 gift cards and reams of copy paper. If you would like us to buy a gift card for you or copy paper, donate here. Please, please share this link and support our new teachers in Charlotte County. Or text Teachers19 to 41444. Donations can be dropped off at our UWCC office. If you have any questions, please call us at 941-627-3539. Thank you for your consideration.

Points to Ponder

I talk with a lot of leaders who tell me about their challenges at work. Almost always it comes down to people issues
I ask two questions…
1. How many people on your team probably shouldn’t be there? (hiring mistake to begin with, they’ve allowed their skills to stagnate or degrade, the need for their role has changed over time, they’ve mentally quit, their attitude has soured, some combination of a few of these)
2. What are you doing on a consistent basis to cultivate a better environment? (consistent = every day or every other day)

Both questions usually make people a little uncomfortable. Which is good, of course. Being uncomfortable leads to growth, right?
An important part of leading is creating and developing a special team of people who trust each other and are highly committed to the objectives of the team.

If you’re a leader, you need to hold yourself accountable to that if you really want to solve your people challenges and make things more enjoyable for everyone. (You do, don’t you?)

If you’ve got challenges with your team, let me encourage you to do the challenging work…

1st: If you’ve got people on your team who shouldn’t be there and/or are keeping others from doing great work, ask yourself why you’re allowing that. Then stop allowing it.
2nd: Embrace your day-to-day opportunity to cultivate that special team of people and special environment you wish you had. Realize that it’s in your hands and if you continue to do what you’ve done (or not done), it’s unreasonable to expect a positive change.

How?
Model the behavior you want to see.
Connect with the people you lead.
Involve them as much as possible.

Applause Section

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Announces New Staff

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the hiring of new administrative staff. After a lengthy process and a regional search to fill the position of executive director, in May 2019 the Board of Directors found two exceptional professionals to work together in the Punta Gorda office. Craig Badinger, the new CSO executive director, spent the past decade working in arts and performing arts nonprofits in a career that spanned Washington DC, Miami, and New York City before settling in Punta Gorda three years ago. He has worked for such national organizations as Martha Graham Dance Company and Miami City Ballet. Most recently, Craig served on the executive team of Englewood’s Hermitage Artist Retreat. “The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra should be more than Punta Gorda’s secret gem. Its quality and the compelling programming of Music Director Raffaele Ponti deserve regional attention. I look forward to growing this organization and expanding the symphony orchestra’s influence in Southwest Florida.” Elise Sherron, the new CSO operations manager, is a classically-trained pianist with a Master’s Degree in International Arts Management with a focus on nonprofit fundraising strategies. She spent the past year as a freelance accompanist, and in patron services and customer care at Artis-Naples. Elise is drawn to the CSO for its community mission, high caliber performers, and Raffaele Ponti’s vision. As a new resident in Punta Gorda, Elise is excited for this growth opportunity with such an esteemed team.
According to Michael Landsberg, Chairman of the Board, “This is a very exciting time for the CSO. Season ticket sales are up more than 30% from a year ago, and there has been a buzz in town like we have never had before. The 2019-2020 season looks to be our best ever.”
For tickets or further information, please visit the CSO website at www.charlottesymphony.com or call 941-205-5996.

Member Newsletters

Click Name of Business for their latest news

 

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center

Charlotte Players 

2019-2020 Season

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s Upcoming Season

Chelsea Place – 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

Copperfish Books

FGCU Renaissance Academy Punta Gorda
Florida International 

Air Show

Gulfshore Opera Season 6 2019-2020

Key West Express

Port Charlotte Score Lunch & Learn Workshops

Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society

Spa One Day Spa

Special Offers for Chamber Members

Air Trek Click Here for Special Key West Offer

Storm Smart Click Here for a special offer for Chamber Members.

Sleep Inn & Suites Click here for a special offer for Chamber Members.

Twin Isles Country Club Click Here for Offer, Click Here for Offer

LaQuinta Inn & Suites Click Here for Summer Special

Joke of the Week

Monstrous Appetite

Why did the sea monster eat five ships that were carrying potatoes?
No one can eat just one potato ship.

Thought for the Week

Our actions are the results of our intentions and our intelligence.

Sincerely,

John Wright
President
Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Animal Welfare League

Calenda Real Estate Group

Centennial Bank

Charlotte Community Foundation

Charlotte Players

Denise Henry –ReMax Anchor Realty

Farr, Farr, Emerich,Hackett, Carr, and Holmes Law Firm

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital

Granny Nannies Home Care

Gulfshore Opera

Hoff’s Air Authority

Pickleplex of Punta Gorda

State Farm Agency -Mike Martin

Superior Carpet & Upholestry Cleaning

Wotitzky, Wotitzky, Ross, & Young, PA

Port Charlotte Florist (In Kind)

Support Partners